Short and Sweaty Running

16. July 2018 · 2 comments · Categories: running · Tags: , , ,

Hi there and welcome to my monthly post! Hope your summer is going well. It’s been really hot and humid here in the Northeast.

My running lately can basically be described as short and sweaty. I could toss slow in there too. But I’m actually loving it.

An evening run with some sprinkler hopping last week

A lovely run by the beach also last week

Mr. SOTSS and I each slogged through 4 miles on the 4th of July and just about died it was so hot.

It’s like my weeks get punctuated with short runs of 3-4 miles a couple of times a week and with no real training schedule, no injuries, no long runs, I’m not so absorbed with it all like I’d be with marathon training—so I’m free to be overly absorbed with packing and moving 🙂

Speaking of, I swear, every single time I think I have a handle on things I open another closet or cabinet door and find myself sorting and sifting through yet more stuff. I have no problem saying goodbye to things like old kitchen blenders or coffee makers and vases and such. But it’s so hard to pare down my coats. I love coats.

Hooray for an empty cabinet!

I’ve already made one trip to Goodwill and will probably end up making about a dozen more trips. They have a drive through lane where you literally have someone to greet you and take your stuff. Easy peasy!

remember these? A stereo from the 90s. Woah! Relic 🙂

Oh, and while we’re talking about relics, I found some old photos too….Here’s a shot of me from about 25 years ago—and yes i have shoulder pads in that dress.

And going even farther back…this one is closer to 30 years ago when I got my first car. Notice the matching scrunchy in my hair. Again, the 90s…

I’ve also been taking advantage of some free yoga here on Staten Island this summer with friends.

Every other Saturday morning I’ve enjoyed some gentle flow and a lovely view of the NYC skyline to my left and the Verrazano bridge to my right.

NYC Skyline

Verrazano Bridge

And now that my work situation is back to a more normal schedule, I’ve been able to join my Wednesday night hiking crew a bit more.

8pm summer sun

Duncan is happy that the 4th of July is now over with and so are the fireworks. He hid under the bed and I could hear him muttering under his breath about how rude people are to set them off. He doesn’t think fireworks are that cool.

The bathroom was another safe haven for him.

But now we’re back strutting around with no worries! (Well sometimes we take little breaks)

How has your summer been going? Do you have dogs with firework issues? Any tips for moving/packing?

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  3. Bring on the Rain and a Hamstrain

A NYC Marathon pang and lazy dog photo overload

09. August 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: running · Tags: , , , , , ,

Hey there

I’m taking a little coffee break and watching some Olympic volleyball and thought I’d fill you in on what’s been going on with me over the last few days.

Well, Duncan has been as lazy as lazy can be. I guess he’s just giving that expression “dog days of summer” true meaning. I can’t help but smile at him though. He’s got it so easy.

This dog!

This dog!

Lazy pose #1,267,468

Lazy pose #1,267,468

He's blocking the return key AND the delete key. This is a problem.

He’s blocking the return key AND the delete key. This is a problem.

Waiting for me to get out of bed.

Waiting for me to get out of bed.

Seriously!

Seriously!

Stairs for the mid-day nap

Stairs for the mid-day nap

I went for a run on Saturday. It was a very “blue” run.

Blue Vivofit, blue shirt, blue socks, blue sneakers and even a blue poop bag that was the "in case it rains and phone needs to be protected" bag.

Blue Vivofit, blue shirt, blue socks, blue sneakers and even a blue poop bag that was the “in case it rains and phone needs to be protected” bag.

In the evening I put on my photographer hat and shot a 50th wedding anniversary.

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Sunday I spent with my boyfriend’s family for a small get together to celebrate his youngest’s 11th birthday. The cake must have “shifted in flight” and ended up looking like an Alice In Wonderland cake being all lopsided but it sure did taste good and nobody cared about the presentation.

IMG_4935We all laughed and tried to rescue it from the box with multiple spatulas. I spent my obligatory time with the adults having adult conversation and then I snuck away to chew gum and practice blowing bubbles with Mr. SOTSS’ oldest daughter. She just learned this fine craft thanks to her dad’s fine instruction. We’re going to petition to have it become an olympic sport for the 2020 Olympics so we have 4 years to practice 🙂

I posted a slow-motion video of this bubble popping if you wanted to be blown away. OK being totally dramatic. It's not that exciting

I posted a slow-motion video of this bubble popping on Instagram if you wanted to be blown away. OK being totally dramatic. It’s not that exciting

She's getting better!

She’s getting better!

Hanging with the pooches

Hanging with the pooches

Yesterday I had to run an errand in the afternoon and found myself near the boardwalk so I took a quick 45 min walk and enjoyed the sunshine. Of course there I was walking toward the Verrazano Bridge and found myself feeling the pangs of the NYC Marathon.

IMG_4973I am not running it this year or next year. But there’s a part of me that wants to do the 9+1 next year so that I can qualify to run in 2018. We’ll see. I’m barely getting through my 4 mile runs these days.

Later on in the evening i took Duncan for a walk. We went to a park we haven’t been to in months. It was a nice change of pace for both of us 🙂

IMG_4975

This afternoon I struggled through 4 hot mid-afternoon miles.

Duncan has become addicted to licking the sweat off my legs this summer

Duncan has become addicted to licking the sweat off my legs this summer

Well, I better get back to work. I’d like to be wrapped up before primetime so I can watch the Olympics….women’s gymnastics!

Have you ever run the NYC Marathon? If not, do you want to?

Who’s ready for the fall weather? ME!!!!

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New Gear: Asics Cumulus 18s and Old Navy Compression Shorts

07. July 2016 · 2 comments · Categories: running, running gear · Tags: , , , ,

Hi there.

We’re in the midst of a heatwave here in NY and NJ. Temps in the 90s will be hanging around until Sunday when I think we’ll get a break. I love my 2015 Subaru Forester but I have to say that the air conditioning leaves a lot to be desired. #firstworldproblems

But today’s sky was filled with so many puffy clouds. I love to take pics of them and then draw little animal characters out of them.

IMG_4172 IMG_4173

So on Monday I did exactly what I set out to do. I ran a few miles and then hit up Road Runner Sports for my new Asics Cumulus 18s.

4 miles for the 4th of July

4 miles for the 4th of July

Asics Cumulus 18s

Asics Cumulus 18s

It was love at first feel. I ended up getting a half size larger than normal at the suggestion of the woman helping me. I normally get a size 8 but I went with the 8.5 and after tonight’s run I am sure I made the right decision. I guess in the summer your feet can expand. The 8s always fit but sometimes they felt a little snug in the summer.

IMG_4206

IMG_4210

86 degrees at 9:20pm!

IMG_4212I’ve never had such loud colored laces before and I have to say I am digging them. I felt more visible while running after dark and something about dayglow orange just makes me happy. I ended up getting them for $95 which is about $25 less than suggested retail price so that makes me happy too.IMG_4201

Speaking of great prices, I popped into Old Navy on a whim and scored these nice long compression shorts for just $15!IMG_4223

a better close up of the detail black on black pattern

a better close up of the detail black on black pattern

They have a small pocket on the waist that I like and they feel really comfy. I hope they’ll hold up for a while.

And now I’m foam rolling and icing and Duncan is enjoying the couch.

Couch surfer

Couch surfer

Foam rolling

Foam rolling

What is your favorite sneaker to run in? Is it hot where you are at the moment? Do you ever score cheap running gear?

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Moon run with Walk the Moon

30. July 2015 · 4 comments · Categories: running, Uncategorized · Tags: , , ,

Hi there.

Happy Thursday. Yesterday was a hot day but I spent the bulk of it indoors in a super cold air-conditioned office building. I’ve been freelancing at Scholastic Inc. (the children’s publishing company) and yesterday it just so happened the folders that my work assignments for the day were in made a rainbow!

Catch the rainbow!

Catch the rainbow!

When I got home from work, I walked the dog, took care of some chores and then a little after 8pm I set out for my run.

92 degrees at night!

92 degrees at night!

I didn’t bring music with me (for safety reasons I don’t wear earbuds when I run in the dark) but I couldn’t get that song Shut Up and Dance, by Walk the Moon out of my head. I guess it was a perfect selection to be stuck in my head as I had a lovely moon to keep me company.

11741128_10207171973279367_1753682382000697385_o

Something wonderfully appealing about running on a hot summer night. I even love how my sneaker reflectiveness shimmers.

It's like sneaker bling without the bling just the shine.

It’s like sneaker bling without the bling just the shine.

I figured with no sun I didn’t need my hat or sunglasses. I sort of felt naked.

Head streaking!

Head streaking!

Oh and the highlight of my run was this freshly paved street! So soft and cushy.

IMG_7172Next run will be my long run that I’m pushing up to tomorrow. I’ll be going away this weekend and not sure I’ll have the time to get it in then. Luckily it’s only 7 miles as it’s my first drop back week.

Hope you all have a great day.

What’s your favorite happy running surprise? freshly paved street? Water fountain? New trail discovery?
Would you rather run in the heat or the cold? Day or Night?

 

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